AH. What was your reason for starting TY-GA?

GW. My main reason was that I came out of traditional back ground of Karate, these system are limited in realistic fighting abilities theres no real emphasis on kicking and self defence, that is why I wanted to create TY-GA a sound system that would emphasize inner and outer power and importantly great kicking and realistic street fighting techniques.

AH. How do you see yourself as a martial artist as it has been said you’re a Martial Art legend of our time?

GW. I feel very honoured and very proud of all the praise, respect I have been shown across the world from Karate, Tae Kwon do, Kick boxing, Kung fu, full contact and mixed martial arts. I see myself as some one who loves Martial Arts respects Martial Arts and enjoys to continue to train every day of my life, its been 40years of training that I have done.

AH. You are a representative for Great Britain, World Grandmaster Council and also World Karate Union representative for the U.K, did this come after being the founder of TY-GA, if so how long after?

GW. These honour position came after but not directly after founding TY-GA in 1975. These governing bodies/organization invited me in the beginning of 2001 to be the representative. I was very honoured to be ask, to be invited, you cant nominate yourself for these membership they invite you.

AH. When a comment has been passed that you practise what you preach, do you feel you have achieved your goal in Martial Arts or do you feel there is more you would like to learn in Martial Arts?

GW. I don’t feel you ever stop learning in Martial Arts that’s my personnel view, no matter what level or age. If your honest with yourself you should have the desire to improve and continue to learn, I have never stopped improving/learning its never ending that’s how I see myself, although I have achieved more than I could possibly have dreamt of being a World Champion, making a movie, I still look forward to training as being my ultimate goal, I don’t have any great ambition to do anything, there is no burning ambition only the film industry. The movie is the last thing and its on the agenda as we know. I did not go looking for it, it doesn’t work that way, your own abilities then people will approach you its more flattering being invited.

AH. You have appeared on14 front covers of famous Martial Arts Magazine, your considered to be the greatest kicker in the world, what sort of training have you done to achieve this? and how long did it take you to reach such high standard?

GW. There is a lot of respect how I kick and the unique way that I kick from people in governing bodies and editor magazine, as for the training to be honest its my own personnel routine which is the core of my own flexibility and my teaching routine which is now on DVD, the root of my training has always been part of my training obviously I have added thing and improved thing which is the core of my success. To reach this standard, once I received my black belt that’s when I started to develop my own format its been an on going process.

AH. You have experience in full contact, street fighting etc, would it be bold of me to ask if you ever received any injuries?

GW. In full contact you do receive injuries, however I seem to have avoided horrendous injuries to the face but I did damage my knee, I remember the Doctor telling me I wouldn’t be able to kick properly if I continue to train the way I do, I find this amusing because I kick better more now then I have ever done, I did train threw my injuries.

AH. To have such a following in Martial Arts, what sort of thing do you say to your students?

GW. I always tell my students that I practise what I preach, to be a role model they have come to me for advice in there own lives and advice in training, my students respect me when advised how to deal with stress and negativity. When I teach my black belt students its just not about physical but also spiritual.

AH. Recent events you held the first ever International Hall Of Fame June 2006 in London. This was such a big event, as I was there, everything organised to perfection and I do know everyone was very impressed, Did you feel those who reached a standard should be acknowledged after years of there dedication to Martial Arts.?

GW. That was the whole idea of London International Hall Of Fame was to honour people from all Martial Arts regardless of there politics, men and women alike who deserved to be honoured. In Europe we have very few academy awards in Martial Arts. I felt by doing this in London we could start something that’s never been done before not only has it been a great success except next year that it will grow even bigger.

AH. Now that you have achieved so much in Martial Arts and recognized world wide, have you any plans for the future?

GW. I've been offered to do a movie its called "THUNDERKICK", it will released in 2008 playing the Starring role and doing the fighting choreography for the movie, that’s the latest on the agenda, for a lot of people to do a Hollywood Movie it is the pinnacle of achievement its one of those things that has come to me threw regular training. People like what I have done and think it would be good on the big screen. To train for as long as I have its been worth it. I admit I am flattered and overwhelmed that Ive been ask to play the lead role in this movie. I will also be doing other Starring roles in two other movies with Sky Dragon Entertaiment Corp.LA.USA.

AH. How where you approached?

GW. I had a meeting with the director and producer Leo Fong in Califorina recently where the offer was purposed to play a role.

AH. You obviously have done some kind of demonstration for them?

GW. No demonstration was required as they had seen my DVD and watched my seminars. The producer thought i would be ideal for the Starring role.

AH. Recently I've been informed that you visit Russia, is there anything you would like to share with us?

GW. Yes I did visit Russia recently Moscow and Yakutsk, I was invited to do a seminars there I taught the police, Russian Armies special forces and top Martial Artist in Russia, that over 4days, wonderful people who showed respect. I even done photo shooting with a bear, yes it was real behind a cage, but over all when I was presented with sword of honour from the Federal Government for doing the seminars I was overwhelmed to be acknowledged in this way. It was nice that they appreciate my abilities.

AH. Your adventure didn’t just stop there, you visit Ireland/N. Ireland what was this for?

GW. Yes I did visit and seminars in Letterkenny with my to representative to my TY-GA Martial Arts Organisation, Master Josie Murray and Master Dannio Alchino from Omagh who are valued members and directors within TY-GA Martial Arts International Organization.

AH. Comment: After completing my Interview with Grandmaster Gary Wasniewski I would like to thank him for sharing his experience and knowledge with us, I count it a great privilege and honour to listen to his story unfold, I can say this of him.

The love of Martial Arts as a whole reaching out to the interest of others, captivating those around the world expecting nothing in return, receiving more than he ever thought he would, To achieve and see great results for this Grandmaster Gary Wasniewski truly he is an example of our time and a legend. www.ty-ga.co.uk.

COMBAT WARRIOR E-MAGAZINE March 2008 / CombatWarriorMag.com